Filters

The purpose of neutral density filters is to decrease the amount of light that enters the camera. These filters have different density of filtration (1, 2, 3 stops). When you are looking to buy one, you will ask for either 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 or 2x, 4x, 8x. The technical process that happens when a neural filter is attached, is a slower shutter speed for a given aperture or, the other way around, a larger aperture on a given shutter speed. A good tip is combining this filter with a polarizer when shooting waterfalls. The split neutral density filter (or gradual neutral density filter) is not coated in a uniform manner (gradually change from transparen’t to translucent gray); otherwise, it does the same this as above explained. These types of filters have a hard edge differing from a manufacture from another. The hard edge split neutral density filters can be used … Read more…

Center-Spot filters are a type of special effects filters; they are variations of Diffusion Filters. The center of a center spot filter is usually a hole (It can also be a flat and clear glass). The hole can be round or oval. The surrounding of the hole is a diffuse glass, sometimes colored. As a result, the image taken with this filter will be sharp and clear in the middle (where the hole is), and blured around the center. Its easy to figure out that a larger center spot filter has a larger central clear area. Center Spot Filters can be found in 4 different types as well: • diopters with a hole at the center • soft spot filters with a clear center and soft-focus ring • diffusion filters with a clear center • densely arranged concentric circles and a clear center (ex: Cokin’s Radial Zoom) As for the … Read more…